Das slams Mohun Bagan and East Bengal for lack of interest from investors

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Kolkata, November 22: AIFF general secretary Kushal Das on Tuesday (November 21) slammed Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal for failing to attract investors despite having a strong fan base which would have helped them be a part of the glamorous Indian Super League.

Two times I-League winners Bengaluru FC decided to abandon the age-old I League tournament for Indian Super League which is apparently been touted as the future of Indian football.

All the top I League clubs like East Bengal, Mohun Bagan were also invited to join the cash-riched league, however, to join the league it was mandatory that the franchise fee was paid.

And both the clubs jointly refused to pay any amount and claimed that it was due to financial blockage and less sponsorship support they could not afford to strike a deal.

To ease the matter, AIFF later decided to organise two tournament ISL and I League simultaneously for this season with a view to merge them next year.

And at the launch of the I-League tournament, AIFF general secretary Kushal Das talked about the matter and personally criticised the two sides. Das also claimed that the Kolkata clubs should now look for a better future plan where they can attract sponsors rather than being naive on franchise fee.

“While they have a huge fan base, they also have to realise somehow there are no investors coming. They are finding it difficult to get sponsorships," Das said.

“So they have to introspect what is wrong? Why are clubs with such history and legacy fan following unable to get sponsorship and investment?

“That’s a question they will have to find an answer to. I am happy to help them but they will only have to find an answer,” Das said.

“I think the whole issue is to convince the sponsors about their strategic plan for next five years. This is where I want to be — say after five years. Probably, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have not been able to do that,” he concluded.

He also said that I-League, for this year, will remain the official league and its winner will qualify for the AFC Champions League but to participate in the tournament the champion have to fulfil the whole license criteria.

"They can (play AFC Champions League) but once they start participating, they have to fulfil the licensing the criteria. They will get some time to sort out the licensing issue," Das said.